there is no quick fix for healthcare, mental healthcare, claims, anything else. there is the need for a persistent drive, a driving agenda when the secretary and his team comes to work every day determined as you are, sir, to make a difference as best as you can. i'm disturbed by the fact that the very promising va joining with d.o.d. on i.t. and other things which was quite vibrant seven or eight years ago has now been called off. and i want to ask why and at what price do we pay or what can be done. i would say to my friends on this committee that we are very lucky to serve here. i've been on here every year that i've ever been on the senate which some may think is one or two but actually is 28 years. and it's a proud, proud service. so in west virginia we have many veterans. everybody does. the work is powerful in its policy and powerful in it's poignancy. i commend you for the work you've done but i still have questions to ask. thank you. >> mr. chairman, thank you and thank you for calling this hearing on this budget request. mr. secretary, it's good to see